 Cyclotron gap energy gain

Define $\Delta V={\Phi }_{\mathrm{entry}}-{\Phi }_{\mathrm{exit}}$ as the electric potential drop along the particle's passage. If the electric field changes negligibly during that short crossing, the work givesThe sign matters: a positive ion gains kinetic energy while going to lower electric potential; a negative ion needs the opposite drop. A fixed-sign field would accelerate on one crossing and decelerate on the next. The alternating field must reverse before the particle comes back.

For a fixed electric charge sign and circulation direction, absorb this alternating crossing direction into the definition of the arrival phase ${\varphi }_n$. If $V_0$ is the peak electric potential difference across the whole gap, rather than the amplitude of either electrode relative to ground, a thin-gap model isArrival at ${\varphi }_n=0$ gives the largest accelerating kick; $|{\varphi }_n|<\pi /2$ gives a positive kick. Arrival at ${\varphi }_n=\pi$ gives deceleration. For an ideal classical particle initially on crest, the cyclotron resonance condition keeps successive arrival phases equal. It does not automatically bring an initially mistimed particle onto crest.